Episode 169
Italy, untouched by the flames of war.
The grand cathedral of the Vatican in Rome, the heart of Catholicism.
“What did you say? Baghdad has been completely destroyed?”
“Yes, Your Holiness. Nomads from the East have turned Baghdad into ruins.”
“What on earth… Should I be pleased about this? No, wait. Is this even true? It’s not just a rumor, is it?”
Pope Peter II looked bewildered.
Cardinal Cencio Savelli calmly reread the urgent report he had received.
“Yes, it’s true. The information comes directly from the Holy Roman Empire, so there’s no doubt.”
Cardinal Cencio, who had been a tutor to Frederick, son of Henry VI, had built a close relationship with the empire. Given the source, the report’s credibility was unquestionable.
“But… didn’t I hear that those Mongols had already destroyed Khwarezm not long ago?”
“Yes, it seems to be the same Mongols.”
“They destroyed Khwarezm and now Baghdad too?”
The murmurs in the room grew louder.
“Your Holiness, isn’t this a sign that God is working to aid you?”
“Indeed. If we stay out of it, the Mongols and the Muslims will fight each other, which could be the best outcome for us.”
“We might even have a chance to reclaim Jerusalem!”
Pope Peter II gestured for silence, and the room quieted down again.
Honestly, he was confused. It was undoubtedly good news, but it was so unexpected. Who were these Mongols, and where did they come from to cause such chaos?
“Cardinal, I’d like to hear your thoughts. This all feels so sudden.”
“Yes, it does feel abrupt. But regardless of the reason, it’s true that they are fighting the Muslims.”
Others quickly chimed in, agreeing with Cardinal Cencio.
“Exactly. We’ve proven our faith through the Crusades, and perhaps this is God’s way of rewarding us.”
“Doesn’t it remind you of the legendary Prester John? Some people actually believe that these Eastern forces have risen to aid Christianity.”
The legend of Prester John, a mythical Christian king in the East, had long captivated the imagination of many. Though most rational people dismissed it as fantasy, in times of crisis, people yearned for heroes.
With the Crusaders having repelled Khwarezm, and now an unknown Eastern power crushing Islam, such tales were bound to resurface. Rumors likely circulated among the Crusaders that these might be the forces of Prester John.
The Vatican was no different. Some bishops, buoyed by recent successes, began advocating for a decisive strike against Islam.
“Your Holiness, why not consider an alliance with these Mongols? Khwarezm is already defeated, and with Baghdad fallen, Muslim morale must be at an all-time low. If the Mongols push from the east and the Crusaders from the north, we could crush the Ayyubids just like Khwarezm.”
“Indeed. Saladin is no longer the force he once was. He’s nearly seventy now, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to pass away soon. If we have support from the East, the situation changes entirely.”
“Your Holiness, send a message immediately. Even the Byzantine Emperor would likely support this.”
From a pragmatic standpoint, their arguments made sense. But the idea of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” required caution.
“But what guarantee do we have that they will listen to us?”
“The Mongols aren’t foolish. They’d see the benefit of fighting alongside us rather than alone against the Ayyubids.”
“Exactly. Having turned Baghdad to ruins, the Mongols and Muslims are now irreconcilable. If we extend a hand, they’ll likely accept it gratefully.”
“We don’t need to conquer all Muslim territories. If we can just reclaim Jerusalem and let the Mongols have the rest, finding common ground should be easy.”
The idea was tempting. When things seem to be going well, it’s natural to envision a hopeful future.
In Pope Peter II’s mind, he could see himself crushing Islam and reclaiming Jerusalem. Such achievements would surely earn him a place as one of the greatest popes in Christian history.
It would be a legacy worthy of the name Peter II.
‘The key is what Marshal thinks.’
The Crusades had been guided by his counsel from the start, so his opinion was crucial. More precisely, the divine revelations given to Marshal were what mattered. So far, following those prophecies had never led them astray.
“Let’s not rush. We’ll send a message to the Crusaders. The most important thing is the opinion from the field.”
“Yes, I agree. The information came in so suddenly that we haven’t had time to understand the full context. It’s best to gather more details before making a decision.”
“As Cardinal Cencio suggested, let’s gather more information and be ready to act once we have a clearer picture.”
Some bishops clicked their tongues in disappointment, but Pope Peter II decided not to rush. Just as eating or drinking too quickly can cause problems, so can hasty decisions.
It’s not as if war will break out tomorrow. It’s better to wait and make the best choice rather than rush and make a mistake. The Vatican and Baghdad were so far apart that communication could take months.
And within a week, Pope Peter II found himself grateful for his cautious approach.
The follow-up report from the Crusaders completely changed the atmosphere at the Vatican.
“Your Holiness, the Crusaders have sent an urgent request for a swift decision.”
“We must act… but…”
Pope Peter II glanced at the other bishops, noting their similar expressions.
Shock, disbelief, anxiety, and conflict.
“Cardinal Cencio, does the Holy Roman Empire truly support this decision?”
“Yes. In fact, Emperor Henry VI stated that it’s not a matter of support but necessity.”
“No choice, indeed…”
Despite his words, the decision was not easy. The demand from Marshal was simply too outrageous.
“An alliance with Islam… and they recognize Marshal as their apostle?”
As he frowned and rubbed his temples, a clueless bishop spoke up nonchalantly.
“Isn’t it a good thing? It means the Muslims are admitting their misguided beliefs.”
There’s always someone who makes foolish comments at times like these.
Fortunately, before the Pope could raise his voice, Cardinal Cencio spoke up.
“It’s not that simple. Recognizing the same prophet means we must fundamentally redefine our relationship with Islam.”
“What…?”
“Those who acknowledge and follow the same prophet cannot be at war. We managed to integrate with the Orthodox Church relatively easily. But can we do the same with Islam? This decision will have more impact than any other in Christian history.”
“Oh… I see.”
Though unspoken, the concern was clear:
If Christianity and Islam were to live peacefully ever after, Pope Peter II would be hailed as the greatest pope in history. He would be the one who ended centuries of conflict and laid the foundation for lasting peace.
But that’s an optimistic view. Realistically, centuries of animosity won’t be resolved overnight. Even if peace is maintained for a while, its longevity is uncertain.
If the conflict escalates and Christianity fails to reclaim Jerusalem, Pope Peter II risks being remembered as the one who squandered a golden opportunity to vanquish Islam.
“Ah… why does God test me so?”
“Your Holiness, but the prophet, as well as all the kings participating in the Crusades, are urging an alliance with Islam.”
“If it were merely a military alliance, it wouldn’t require your approval. This is an opportunity to elevate your stature.”
”…Hmm. There’s merit in that argument.”
“The destruction of Baghdad was so horrific that allying with such barbarians is far too risky.”
This was precisely what fueled the Vatican’s anxiety.
Under normal circumstances, the idea of an alliance with Islam would have been dismissed as nonsense, sparking public outrage.
However, as the tragic details of Baghdad’s fall spread, even the hardliners who once clamored for the annihilation of all things Islamic found themselves hesitating.
“Even if they are our enemies, there is a basic level of decency expected, which these barbarians lack. If they defeat Islam, who knows if their swords will turn on us next?”
“Exactly. Leaving these barbarians unchecked is too great a risk. They don’t understand dialogue or negotiation.”
“Wasn’t that precisely what the prophecy foretold?”
Pope Peter II had been so shocked by the news of the caliph being trampled to death under a horse’s hooves, wrapped in a carpet, that he spat out his drink. He couldn’t believe what he heard and had to verify it multiple times.
What was even more appalling was that not only the caliph but also Baghdad’s influential figures and nobles sent from Ayyub were met with similar fates. Among them was Saladin’s second son, which made it clear just how mad the Mongols were.
“If we don’t ally with Islam, Damascus and Rome will be next… Sigh… Is there truly no other choice?”
“Your Holiness, you must accept it. We cannot allow Rome to be trampled by barbarians.”
“Indeed! It’s not just about Rome being overrun… though it’s hard to even say it, there’s talk that those Mongols might treat Your Holiness the same way they did the caliph.”
While they didn’t explicitly say it was out of fear for their own lives, Pope Peter II felt the same. The prophecy’s most terrifying part was the suggestion that he might meet the same fate as the caliph if they didn’t form an alliance.
Yet, he couldn’t simply propose an alliance out of fear for his own life; it would look cowardly. He hoped the bishops would push him in that direction, and fortunately, none were oblivious to his predicament.
Now, he had to reluctantly accept it.
There had never been a bad outcome when following Marshall’s prophecies, so he had no choice but to trust it would be the same this time.
“Is there truly no other way… Forming an alliance with Islam is a difficult decision, but perhaps that’s why the prophecy was given—to guide us through such tough choices.
In the name of Pope Peter II, I hereby officially declare that the Vatican will accept Prophet Marshall’s demands and formally ally with Islam. All subsequent processes will be entrusted to Marshall, and the Vatican’s will shall align with the prophet’s.”
Once spoken, there was no taking it back.
The bishops watched him with complex expressions, unable to cheer or complain.
The Pope felt the same, but now was the time to show conviction.
He could only hope that, in the distant future, this decision would be hailed as the salvation that placed Christianity on solid ground.